Hyped Caribbean Destinations to Avoid, Lesser-Known Islands to see Instead

Nothing says luxurious vacation than taking a Caribbean trip. The Caribbean islands are one of the most popular destinations to travel to when escaping the cold weather. However, you don’t want to trip over thousands of tourists in overly popular destinations on the other islands. So instead of conforming with the other sun seekers, why not try these islands instead for your Caribbean trip?

Instead of the popular sister island St. Marteen, try the lesser known island, Saba

Right next to the island of St. Marteen, this island was formed as the top of a volcano that became active during the Pleistocene era. The volcano is now dormant and has not erupted for about 5,000 years. For many years, Saba was quite the magnet for Caribbean pirates! Compared to its sister island, St. Marteen, there are no mass tourism attractions.

Saba’s attraction is solely based on its beautiful landscape, which is most likely why its nickname is “Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean.” Here you can go hiking on the nature-filled island or go diving to see sprightly dolphins and perhaps even spot a breaching whale…. Since it’s not a heavily touristy area, you’ll be able to witness the gorgeous sea creatures without worrying about other people. It’s all about feeling the peace and serenity when immersed in the beautiful greens of Saba.

View from Mt_Scenery, Saba. Photo: Radioflux via Wikimedia Commons

Instead of the crowded Dominican Republic, try the more relaxed island, Nevis

If you love monkeys, then this is definitely the place for you. Monkeys freely roam the traffic light-free streets and without the modern developments, Nevis is the definition of old-school Caribbean. Think clear blue waters, sunshine and well, no tourist hordes!

The Dominican Republic is much more crowded since it is more well known. The island of Nevis is much more intimate, so you’ll definitely have a much more calming experience. the best beaches on Nevis are on the northern and western shores – enjoy a drink in a rustic beach bar on Pinneys and Paradise beaches near the capital, Charlestown, or go for a swim at the lovely Oualie Beach in the north.

Instead of the U.S. Virgin Islands, try the glowing waters of Viequez

You’ll definitely want to visit Viequez for its glowing bioluminescent bay, or Mosquito Bay. It has been declared the brightest bay in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008. The glowing water is due to the Pyrodinium bahamense, Dinoflagellates, or “dinos.” These are organisms that produce a burst of blue light when coming into contact with another organism or shaken.

Other than the breathtaking bay, you can go snorkeling and visit its museums as Viequez takes pride in its history. One of the most important historical attractions is the horses you can find roaming freely in the area. The horses were brought over by the Spanish many years ago and are a very big part of the island’s history. For a small island it has many attractions.

Photo via goodfreephotos

Instead of packed Cancun, try charming Anegada

This island is known for its secluded beaches and surrounding coral reefs. It is also home to flamingos, rock iguanas, and rare plant species such as sea lavender. Located in the British Virgin Islands, there are very relaxing activities to do here.

Travel here to appreciate the intriguing marine life that roams the Anegada waters, instead of just looking for something to catch. More water activities include diving and snorkeling, where you can witness the beauty of the coral reefs that the island is known for. There are also water sports located here to let you enjoy the crystal clear waters and get up close and personal with the intelligent dolphins. The coral reefs that surround Anegada provide a lovely, different experience.

Photo: Walker Mangum via Wikimedia Commons

Instead of crowded Barbados, try calming Tobago

Tobago is one of the smaller islands, but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to do here. Here, you can do activities such as windsurfing, have yacht trips, sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and turtle watching. Leatherback turtles visit the sands of Tobago to lay their eggs and later when the eggs hatch, return to sea together. All the egg-laying areas are strictly controlled during the egg-laying season, which is typically around March to September. In Barbados, it’s all about the beach. While it is fun to play in the water and tan under the sun, being able to see turtles adds another layer of charm to your Caribbean trip.

Photo: Bgabel via Wikimedia Commons

Instead of crammed Jamaica, try the more open Grenada

The petite island, also known as the Spice of the Caribbean. is perfect for adventure lovers. Think silky white sand beaches, stunning scorals and unspoilt landscapes. Here you can go diving to the world’s first underwater sculpture park.

If you’re into waterfalls, Grenada has multiple falls to explore. Each waterfall has a different flow and visual so you’ll be in awe everytime you go see a different waterfall. Grenada is brimming with natural attractions. While Jamaica has places to cannonball into the water, the multiple waterfall areas in Grenada will make you never want to leave.

Photo: larsen9236 via pixabay.com

Enjoy these destinations on your Caribbean trip! They’ll definitely be much more relaxing without the crowd.